Lighting fixture



Jam 19 1943. I v E. FZRIENVD 2,399,059-

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Aug. 23, 1941' (It tornegs "Patented Jan. 19,1943 UNITED STATES {PATENT ()FFICE' LIGHTING FIXTURE Robert E. Friend,Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Nordberg Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee,Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 23, 1941, Serial No.408,079 2 Claims. (01.240-78) This invention relates to lightingfixtures, particularly fixtures for enclosing horizontal tube lights,such as fluorescent tube lights now coming into extensive use. Since thetubes a e Op q and will cast a shadow, the full utilization of the lightfrom a horizontal tube requires either the use of a special form ofreflector or some arrangement which will avail of indirect lighting aswell as direct. The invention takes account of this fact and also meetsthe requirement char,- acteristic of tube lights, that the light tubesmust extend substantially continuously across the lighted space, becausethey do not afford good dispersion of light far beyond the ends of thetubes.

The invention provides a fixture of attractive appearance, whichconforms to the principles of functional design, and which may be usedas a single unit or may be assembled end to end with similar units toproduce diffused lighting fixtures extending the entire length or widthof a space to be lighted. The invention so arranges the tube lights withreference to a diffusing reflector and an enclosing light transmittingcase that good diifused direct lighting and good indirect lighting areboth afforded by the fixture.

The invention will now be described by reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete fixture;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal axial section taken on a vertical plane;

Fig. 3 is a. section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The end plates of the fixture comprise the rectangular panel llsustained by a narrow web l2 which is flanged as indicated at l3 andnotched at M to engage fixture studs or other means for connecting thefixture to the ceiling. Thereotangular panel II is flanged along itsvertical edges and across its lower edge as indicated at l5, and the twoend panels are connected by longitudinally extending angle bars [6 whichare welded to both end panels. The panels II are further tied togetherand braced by a sheet metal reflector element H which is coated on itsouter surf-ace with white enamel to give it a combined light reflectingand diffusing characteristic. The

two faces of the triangular portion which are indicated by the numbersl8 and I9 in Fig. 3 are preferably at approximately 90 to each other.

The reflector structure generally indicated by the numeral I 1 has endportions which, in Figure 2, are generally indicated by thereference'numerals 2|, 22. These end portions are preferably formed withfive sides as indicated in Figure 4, one purpose of so forming the endportions being to form convenient points for attachment of the brackets23 which carry tube sockets 24 of any suitable form. No attempt is heremade to illustrate the tube sockets in detail.

Brackets are provided for three tubes. The upper tubes 25 are parallelwith and near the upper margin of the faces l8, IQ of the central ormain reflecting portion of the reflector. The third tube 26 is a shortdistance below the angle between the surfaces l8, l9. This third tubemay be omitted. In some cases, it will be found desirable to provide aseparate control for the tube 28 so that it may or may not be lighted atthe same time that the tubes 25 are lighted. A cover member 21 formedwith ventilating louvers 28 cl0ses the top of the reflector element. Itwill be understood that the reflector element may be used to housetransformers or other accessory apparatus used with tube lights. Noattempt to illustrate such apparatus in the drawing has been made. It isnot a part of the invention and would be conventional, in any event.

The cover member 21 is provided with flanged seats 29 on its oppositesides to receive the cover glass hereinafter described. Resting on thebottom flanges l5 of the end panels and on the angle bars I6 is a panelof translucent light diffusing material. Various transparent ortranslucent plastics might be used, but I prefer glass having roundedribs, the ribs running longitudinally so that they are parallel with thetubes and afford diffusion in directions transverse to the tubes.However, sanded glass or glass having some diffusing pattern on one orboth surfaces may be used. This bottom panel is indicated at 32, 33, thepanel being made in two approximately equal separate portions so thatone may be lifted and slid over the other, permitting access to eitheror simultaneously to both ends of the reflector. This is a desirable wayof permitting access to the tubes and tube receptacles for adjustment orreplacement.

The side panels 34 of similar light diffusing translucent material aremounted as shown and are retained by the clips 35 which are welded toportions of the end plates I I. Where the glass is ribbed I prefer thatthe ribs run longitudinally, that is, parallel with the lighting tubes.Seated on the upper edges of the side panels 34 and upon the seats 29formed in the cover 21 are two panes of transparent material. Anytransparent plastic might be used. Clear glass is preferred. The

panels are indicated at 36. It is contemplated that the fixture will behung beneath a ceiling which is white or some light color, and as aconsequence is a good light diffusing reflector. It follows that thelight from the bottom and outer side of the tubes 25 will afford directlighting which is diffused by the action of the panels 32, 33 and 34.Light passing from the inner side of the tubes 25 and from the top oftube 26 will be diffused and reflected by the surfaces [8, I9. Lightfrom the bottom of tube 26 will afford direct illumination withdiflusion by the panels 32, 33. Light leaving the top of the tubes 25and possibly also some of the light from upper portions of the tube 26will pass through the panels 36 without diffusion and will be diffuselyreflected from the ceiling.

It will be observed that the tubes are so arranged that all directlighting will be evenly dispersed. The light reflected from the surfacesl8, l9 will not be seriously obstructed by the tubes themselves. Alllight passing upward to the ceiling will be subject to diflusingreflection from the ceiling, the effect being to afford a satisfactorysupplemental indirect illumination.

The advantages of the arrangement are good appearance, a goodcombination of direct and indirect illumination, complete enclosure ofthe lighting units in a fire proof enclosure, and ready accessibility ofthe lighting tubes for any necessary purpose. The various lighttransmitting panels can be removed readily from the fixture for cleaningor replacement. The frame work of this fixture obstructs the light in aminimum degree.

While the one embodiment of the invention has been described inconsiderable detail, this is for purpose of explanation and not with theintention of implying a limitation to the specific form shown. Changeswithin the scope of the appended claims are contemplated.

I claim:

1. In a tube lighting fixture, the combination of supporting end panelshaving upward extensions for connection with a ceiling; corner barsconnecting the lower corners of said end panels; a bottom and two sidepanels of light transmitting and diffusing material, all removablysupported at least in part by said corner bars, the bottom panelcomprising two sections one of which may be lifted and slid over theother; a reflector V-shaped in cross-section extending horizontallybetween said end panels and rigidly connected to each; a removable coverfor said reflector element, having lateral seats; panels of lighttransmitting material supported on said seats and on the upper edges ofthe side panels; and at least two tube lights, one mounted at each sideof said reflector and near the upper margin thereof.

2. In a tube lighting fixture, the combination of supporting end panelshaving upward extensions for connection with a ceiling; corner barsconnecting the lower corners of said end panels; a bottom and two sidepanels of light transmitting and diffusing material, all supported atleast in part by said corner bars, the bottom panel comprising twosections resting in the corner bars, whereby they are rendered removablethrough the bottom by sliding one over the other and tilting them toclear the corner bars; a reflector V shaped in cross-section extendinghorizontally between said end panels and rigidly connected to each; aremovable cover for said reflector element, having lateral seats; panelsof light transmitting material supported on said seats and on the upperedges of the side panels; and tube lights mounted to extend lengthwiseof said reflector, at the sides and near the upper margin thereof.

ROBERT E. FRIEND.

